Book description
General Sir Mike Jackson's illustrious career in the British Army has
spanned almost 45 years and all that time he has shown loyalty,
courage and commitment to the British army whilst also being an
undeniable media attraction.
A man of substance where foreign policy is concerned, he has served
in theatres from the Artic to the jungle but is perhaps best known for
his role in charge of the British troops to end ethnic cleansing in
Kosovo, for assembling the British ground component of the coalition
that toppled the Taliban, for equipping and organising the army we
dispatched to defeat in Iraq and for re-organising the British army
with aplomb. His drive, enthusiasm and dominating personality were
always popular with his soldiers and drove him right to the top of his
profession. He may have been a general but he never stopped caring
about the men and women in his charge, despite the politics.
Soldier: The Autobiography exhibits all the qualities for
which Jackson is admired; his professionalism, his honesty, his
directness, his exuberance and his sense of humour. Most of all it
gives a vivid sense of what modern soldiering entails.
Engagingly recounted with both intelligence and candour...General
Jackson is a man of high principles, who on more than one occasion was
prepared to lay his career on the line to defend [his] beliefs. In this
highly readable and fascinating book, he speaks a great deal of good
sense. More importantly, he is able to publicly voice his concerns for
the future and defend the soldiers he clearly cares about -- James
Holland Sunday Telegraph Utterly compelling...Jackson has provided a
model of the modern military commander, media friendly, internationally
minded and politically sensitive...Indispensable reading -- Andro
Linklater The Spectator Insightful and valuable...In his account of his
career, he has exposed the weaknesses and failures that led to the
challenges facing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan today -- Michael
Evans The Times A very readable, personal account of a man who rose to
the top of the army and gained a reputation for being a 'no-nonsense'
commander -- Richard Norton-Taylor The Guardian His trademark blunt
honesty and humour are to the fore in his autobiography...He has a very
interesting story to tell...An engaging and honest account that would
repay reading by all those who seek to understand the 21st century
British army The Independent 20070921 General Sir Mike Jackson is the
best known British General of modern times. He retired in the autumn of
2006 after almost 45 years of service in the British army finishing as
its head as Chief of the General Staff.
